How exposed is
your supply chain?
Ten yes-or-no questions drawn from the issues Korean and Asian manufacturers face this year. You get an exposure score and the three things to do first.
- 01
Do you know the names and countries of the tier-2 suppliers behind your critical parts?
Most disruption starts below tier one.
- 02
Do critical inputs depend on shipping routed through the Middle East (Strait of Hormuz)?
Disruption there hits cost and lead time at once.
- 03
Do you use parts or materials containing Chinese rare earths or critical minerals?
Export-control signals may shift around the U.S.–China truce deadline (10 Jan 2027).
- 04
Do products shipped to the U.S. contain high-risk inputs for forced labour, such as battery materials, polysilicon, aluminium or cotton?
A link to a UFLPA-listed company can hold goods at U.S. customs.
- 05
Do you have a procedure to verify the certificates of origin your suppliers submit?
Involvement in origin laundering can bring back-duties and penalties.
- 06
Do you check whether your suppliers' owners are linked to U.S. sanctions or export-control lists?
If the 50% affiliates rule returns, ownership rather than names decides exposure.
- 07
Have you received, or do you expect, supply-chain due-diligence questionnaires from EU customers?
Even out-of-scope suppliers receive their customers' requests.
- 08
Do you supply, or plan to supply, the U.S. Government or a defense prime contractor?
Section 889, the 1260H list and magnet sourcing rules decide eligibility.
- 09
Are Hikvision, Dahua, Huawei or other covered CCTV or telecom devices installed at your offices, plants or suppliers?
For U.S. federal contracts, merely using such equipment bars the contract.
- 10
Do you continuously monitor suppliers for warning signs such as shutdowns, unpaid wages or lawsuits?
Trouble usually shows first in local news and job postings.